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Understaning the Stalking Instincts
from: The Complete CatCats are natural hunters who love to stalk their prey. Domesticated cats find their “prey” in insect, wind up toys, or pieces of string dangled enticingly in front of them. So you might be wondering if your cat's stalking is healthy and normal or if you should be concerned in any way?
Stalking Instinct
All cats, even house cats have a natural instinct for huntig and stalking, however, for an indoor cat, stalking isn't really a sign of hunger. They're actually stalking prey because of curiosity or just to have some excitement and play. Hunting and stalking provides some exercise and a needed release of their pent up energies.
Domesticated cats like to chase mice and other small rodents and some will stalk rabbits and birds. If they're a well fed cat, you'll most often see them just play with their prey rather than trying to eat it. In fact, it's rare to see a well cared for house cat eat its prey. Many people think cats are cruel because they play with their prey, but this is just simply the cat's way of satisfying its natural hunting instinct and of getting exercise.
You've probably noticed that your cats particularly loves stalking where there's some high grass to hide in. If you're a bird lover as well, your cat's stalking instinct might be disturbing for your. However, the simple solution for preventing your cat from stalking wild birds is to simply tie a bell around your cat's neck, which warns the birds away.
Negative Stalking Behaviors
Though most stalking and hunting instincts are harmless, some cats exhibit negative stalking behaviors. If a house cats is the only cat in the household it's a likely candidate for developing some bad stalking habits. A good example is your cat learning your habits and routines and when you arrive home, she goes in a stalking mode and pounces on you and perhaps bites at your ankle. This behavior is can be called predatory-play aggression, combining play with predatory behavior that could become a nuisance.
Some cat owners get upset with this type of behavior and yell or spray their cat with water to show their displeasure. Other owners don't mind so much and just get right into the mood of play after a long day's work.
Modifying Stalking Behavior
House cats engage in predatory-play aggressive behavior more so than outdoor cats as a release for pent up energy and boredom. Outdoor cats have a many opportunities to fulfill their predatory needs when outside by stalking small animals, insects or birds.
For indoor cats, a good solution is to get toys provides her the opportunity to stalk and display her natural predatory instincts in a healthy way. Some toys can help develop a bond between you and your cat. Other toys can help her learn solitary play including stalking and predatory behaviors.
The Best Toys
Lightweight toys are best as well as bouncy toys that hang from the top of doors or from doorknobs. Also toys that resemble a cat's natural prey such as mice, are good as well. Make sure all of the toys are large enough so she won't choke on them, but small enough so they can easily bey swatted and moved around.
Any cat who's been properly stimulated with the right kind of toys that utilize its stalking abilities will be a much healthier cat and less likely to suddenly try to pounce on its owner.
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